Personal Cleansing Device

ABSTRACT

A personal cleansing device comprising a cleansing portion adapted to clean a person&#39;s body and a retractable handle being adjustable to achieve multiple usage-positions. The cleansing portion may be comprised of a loofah. Alternatively, the cleansing portion may be comprised of a sponge. The handle is capable of being substantially retracted inside the perimeter of the cleansing portion to enable a person to wash easy-to-reach body parts. The handle is capable of being extended to enable a person to wash hard-to-reach body parts.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a personal cleansing device having a retractable handle for multiple cleansing uses. More specifically, this invention relates to a personal cleansing device having a retractable handle for multiple cleansing uses wherein the handle is capable of being substantially retracted inside the cleansing portion to enable a user to wash his/her face and further the same handle may be extended to enable a user to wash his/her back or other hard-to-reach areas of the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, loofahs and other like cleaning devices are commonly used, particularly while in the shower. The devices are helpful when cleaning faces and other easy-to-reach areas of the body. For more hard-to-reach areas, scrub brushes with long handles are sometimes used. Because of their length and overall awkwardness, these longer devices are not used on someone's face. Accordingly, these types of devices are commonly purchased and used separately.

What is needed is a cleansing device that allows for both the cleaning of easy-to-reach areas and difficult-to-reach areas with minimal effort to convert the device for both cleansing modes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A personal cleansing device comprising a cleansing portion adapted to clean a person's body and a retractable handle being adjustable to achieve multiple usage-positions. The cleansing portion may be comprised of a loofah. Alternatively, the cleansing portion may be comprised of a sponge. The handle is capable of being substantially retracted inside the perimeter of the cleansing portion to enable a person to wash their face. The handle is capable of being extended to enable a person to wash their back.

The personal cleansing device may also include a pull-strap to make easier the extending of the handle. The pull-strap may be comprised of a nylon rope.

The handle may be comprised of a plurality of tubes that are capable of telescoping for the retracting and extending of the handle.

The handle may be adapted for locking and unlocking by rotating the handle.

The personal cleansing device may also include a pull-handle being attached to the distal end of the handle. The pull-handle may be shaped to substantially match the contour shape of the cleansing portion.

The handle may comprise split-sections and a hinge. The split-sections being rotatable and extendable so as to provide a longer handle for cleansing of hard-to-reach body areas.

A personal cleansing device comprising a cleansing portion adapted to clean a person's body, wherein said cleansing portion is comprised of a loofah; and a retractable handle being adjustable to achieve multiple usage-positions, wherein said handle is capable of being substantially retracted inside the perimeter of said cleansing portion to enable a person to wash their face, wherein said handle is capable of being extended to enable a person to wash their back.

The personal cleansing device may also include a pull-strap to make easier the extending of said handle. The pull-strap may be comprised of a nylon rope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. None of the drawings are necessarily to scale. These drawings are meant to be exemplary and not meant to be limiting of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the handle is shown in a retracted position to enable the cleansing of an easy-to-reach body area;

FIG. 1B shows the cleansing device of FIG. 1A wherein the handle is shown in an extended position to enable the cleansing of a hard-to-reach body area;

FIG. 2A shows a person using the cleansing device in a retracted position to cleanse his face;

FIG. 2B shows a person using the cleansing device in an extended position to cleanse his back;

FIG. 3A is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the cleansing portion to be a general cleansing material wherein the handle is shown in a retracted position to enable the cleansing of an easy-to-reach body area;

FIG. 3B is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the cleansing portion to be a general cleansing material wherein the handle is shown in an extended position to enable the cleansing of a hard-to-reach body area;

FIG. 4A shows the cleansing device of FIG. 3A wherein the handle is shown in a retracted position and substantially located inside the cleansing portion;

FIG. 4B shows the cleansing device of FIG. 3A wherein the handle is shown in an extended position and substantially located outside the cleansing portion;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the handle and its parts;

FIG. 6A shows another exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the handle is shown in a retracted position to allow for the cleansing of the easy-to-reach body areas;

FIG. 6B shows the cleaning device of FIG. 6A wherein the handle is shown being extended and subsequently rotated to lock the handle into the extended position for the cleansing of hard-to-reach body areas;

FIG. 6C shows the cleaning device of FIG. 6B wherein the handle is shown being held by a person;

FIG. 7A shows yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the handle is shown in a retracted position to allow for the cleansing of the easy-to-reach body areas;

FIG. 7B shows the cleaning device of FIG. 7A wherein the handle is shown being extended and subsequently fully-extended to lock the handle into the extended position for the cleansing of hard-to-reach body areas;

FIG. 7C shows the cleaning device of FIG. 7B wherein the handle is shown being held by a person;

FIG. 8A shows yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the handle is shown in a retracted position to allow for the cleansing of the easy-to-reach body areas;

FIG. 8B shows the cleaning device of FIG. 8A wherein the handle is shown being extended and subsequently rotated to lock the handle into the extended position for the cleansing of hard-to-reach body areas; and

FIG. 8C shows the cleaning device of FIG. 8B wherein the handle is shown being held by a person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show a non-limiting, exemplary embodiment of a personal cleansing device 100 having a cleansing portion 110, a retractable handle 120 and a pull-strap 130. In FIG. 1A, the personal cleansing device 100 is shown with handle 120 being substantially retracted within the cleansing portion 110. With this first usage-position, the device 100 is substantially compact and suitable for cleansing of a person's face or other easy-to-reach body areas as shown in FIG. 2A. In FIG. 1B, the personal cleansing device 100 is shown with handle being extended. With this second usage-portion, the device 100 is elongated and thus suitable for cleansing of a person's back or other hard-to-reach body areas as shown in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show a non-limiting, exemplary embodiment of a personal cleansing device 100 having a cleansing portion 110, a retractable handle 120 and a pull-strap 130. In FIG. 3A, the cleansing portion 110 is generically represented in the shape of a cylinder, but may in fact be constructed in a variety of shapes in keeping with the present invention. In FIG. 3A, the handle 120 is shown being retracted and positioned substantially within the perimeter of the cleaning portion 110. In this first usage-position, the device 100 is substantially compact and suitable for cleansing of a person's face or other easy-to-reach body areas as shown in FIG. 2A. In FIG. 3B, the handle 120 is shown being extended and positioned in this second usage-position, thus suitable for cleansing of a person's back or other hard-to-reach body areas as shown in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 4A shows a non-limiting, exemplary embodiment of a personal cleansing device 100 wherein the handle 120 is retracted inside the cleansing portion 100; more specifically, the handle 120 is substantially retracted within the perimeter 110 p of the cleansing portion 110. In this first usage-position, the pull-strap remains substantially outside of perimeter 110 p to allow for the easy extending of the handle 120.

FIG. 4B shows a non-limiting, exemplary embodiment of a personal cleansing device 100 wherein the handle 120 has been extended such that the handle 120 is substantially positioned outside the perimeter 110 p.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a non-limiting, exemplary embodiment of handle 120 and its parts. In this exemplary handle 120, a telescoping design is shown wherein said handle is comprised of a plurality of tubes (1210, 1220, 1230) that are capable of telescoping for the retracting and extending of said handle.

On the distal end of inner-tube 1210 may be positioned an end cap 1212 having a hole 1213 for the attachment of a pull-string 130. On the proximal end of inner-tube 1210 may be positioned a dynamic shim 1214 having an inner-tube bottom-shim 1215 a, an inner-tube top-shim 1215 b and o-ring spring 1216.

On the distal end of middle-tube 1220 may be positioned a static-shim middle-tube 1222 and being adapted to fit around middle-tube 1210. On the proximal end of middle-tube 1220 may be positioned a dynamic shim 1224 having a middle-tube bottom-shim 1225 a, an middle-tube top-shim 1225 b and o-ring spring 1226.

On the distal end of outer-tube 1230 may be positioned a static-shim outer-tube 1232 and being adapted to fit around middle-tube 1220. On the proximal end of outer-tube 1230 may be positioned a rubber cap 1234 that provides a soft cover for a more pleasing tactile feel.

It may be desirable to manufacture the plurality of tubes (1210, 1220, 1230) using aluminum because of its lightweight, strength and rust-free property. It may be desirable to manufacture the shims and end cap using LDPE (low-density polyethylene). It may be desirable to manufacture the rubber cap using vinyl having durometer of 75A. It may be desirable to manufacture the o-ring springs using stainless steel. It may be desirable to manufacture cleansing portion using loofah material made of polyethylene nylon mesh, organic materials, or generally any other material suitable for such purpose. It may be desirable to manufacture the pull-string using nylon braided rope, cotton, silk, or generally any other material suitable for such purpose.

FIG. 6A shows another exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein a cleansing device 200 having a handle 220 being shown in a retracted position to allow for the cleansing of the easy-to-reach body areas as illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 6B shows the cleaning device 200 of FIG. 6A wherein the handle 200 is shown being extended and subsequently rotated to lock the handle 200 into the extended position for the cleansing of hard-to-reach body areas as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 6C shows the cleaning device 200 of FIG. 6B wherein the handle 200 is shown being held by a person.

FIG. 7A shows yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein a cleansing device 300 having a handle 320 is shown in a retracted position to allow for the cleansing of the easy-to-reach body areas as illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 7B shows the cleaning device 300 of FIG. 7A wherein the handle 300 is shown being extended and subsequently fully-extended to lock the handle 320 into the extended position for the cleansing of hard-to-reach body areas as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 7C shows the cleaning device 300 of FIG. 7B wherein the handle is shown being held by a person. The handle 320 may further comprise a pull-handle 324 being attached to the distal end of said handle. The pull-handle 324 may be shaped to substantially match the contour shape of the cleansing portion. The handle 320 may further comprise a finger-hole 326 for making easier the extending of handle 320.

FIG. 8A shows yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein a cleansing device 400 having a handle 420 shown in a retracted position to allow for the cleansing of the easy-to-reach body areas as illustrated in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 8B shows the cleaning device 400 of FIG. 8A wherein the handle 420 is shown being extended and subsequently rotated to lock the handle into the extended position for the cleansing of hard-to-reach body areas as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 8C shows the cleaning device 400 of FIG. 8B wherein the handle 420 is shown being held by a person. It may be desirable for handle 420 to comprise split-sections 426 a, 426 b and a hinge 428. The split-sections 426 a, 426 b being rotatable and extendable so as to provide a longer handle for cleansing of hard-to-reach body areas as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

One skilled in the art would appreciate that when it's said that the present invention may be used to clean a person's face, it may be more broadly stated that the present invention can be used to clean any easy-to-reach body part. Likewise, one skilled in the art would appreciate that when it's said that the present invention may be used to clean a person's feet or back, it may be more broadly stated that the present invention can be used to clean any hard-to-reach body part. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A personal cleansing device comprising: (a) a cleansing portion adapted to clean a person's body and (b) a retractable handle being adjustable to achieve multiple usage-positions.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said cleansing portion is comprised of a loofah.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said cleansing portion is comprised of a sponge.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is capable of being substantially retracted inside the perimeter of said cleansing portion to enable a person to wash their face.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is capable of being extended to enable a person to wash their back.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein said handle is capable of being extended to enable a person to wash their back.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a pull-strap to make easier the extending of said handle.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said pull-strap is comprised of a nylon rope.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is comprised of a plurality of tubes that are capable of telescoping for the retracting and extending of said handle.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is adapted for locking and unlocking by rotating said handle.
 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a pull-handle being attached to the distal end of said handle, said pull-handle being shaped to substantially match the contour shape of the cleansing portion.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle comprises split-sections and a hinge, said split-sections being rotatable and extendable so as to provide a longer handle for cleansing of hard-to-reach body areas.
 13. A personal cleansing device comprising: (c) a cleansing portion adapted to clean a person's body, wherein said cleansing portion is comprised of a loofah; and (d) a retractable handle being adjustable to achieve multiple usage-positions, wherein said handle is capable of being substantially retracted inside the perimeter of said cleansing portion to enable a person to wash their face, wherein said handle is capable of being extended to enable a person to wash their back.
 14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a pull-strap to make easier the extending of said handle.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein said pull-strap is comprised of a nylon rope. 